Hi everyone! 

I’ve been given the opportunity to run the London Marathon in memory of my dear friend Sydnee Hempson. Sydnee is the daughter of Lee and Kelly, my parents best friends but in short- Sydnee is my little sister and she was my bestest friend. She was there in full force for every birthday, every Christmas or monumental moment in my life. 

When Sydnee was just 10 years old, she received the devastating diagnosis- cancer in her bile duct. At the time, Sydnee was a typical young girl with lots of friends. She loved Harry Potter, her school friends, her parents, her sister Freddie, her beloved dog pearl, TikTok, playstation, her grandparents, her cousins, the list is endless. Through multiple operations and chemo sessions, she always had the most infectious smile on her face, she was a fighter from the very beginning until the very end.

Syd passed away 21 months ago in Feb 2021, leaving an angel shaped hole in so many lives, including mine. When she received her terminal diagnosis, we were able to see her at home to say our goodbyes. She was still up for a game of Fortnite and a TikTok despite her wavering energy levels. 

Since Syd’s passing, I’ve been thinking long and hard about what I can do to raise money in her memory but nothing ever seemed big enough- until now. It’s a true honour to have been given the opportunity by Shooting Stars to run the London marathon with their brand on my top. Shooting Stars hospice in Guildford gave us all the opportunity to say a final goodbye to our beautiful Syd before she was laid to rest. This meant personally that I was able to give her the valentines card and teddy I’d bought for her a few days before she passed. 

Not only is Syd my hero but so are her parents Lee and Kelly and her sister Freddie. Their strength is beyond inspiring. I know that they will forever be grateful to shooting stars for the support they provided at such a difficult time. It’s a privilege to be able to raise money for a charity so close to our hearts. 

We will all love you forever Syd #forever12. 

Thank you for anything you can give! 

Conor Fitz x 

Shooting Star Children's Hospices supports babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families across London and Surrey.Whether lives are measured in days, weeks, months or years, we are here to make every moment count. We support families from diagnosis to end of life and throughout bereavement with a range of nursing, practical, emotional and medical care.